The standing committees of the Pittsburgh City Council convened to review budget-related public testimony, approve financial settlements, debate property sales and historic designations, and authorize new contracts for public safety and recreation. Key topics included the defense of the Housing Opportunity Fund and Stop the Violence Fund against potential budget reallocation, a vote to table a major salt storage facility project, and significant discussions regarding the preservation of city-owned historic properties versus development.
Bill 2614 - 2618 (Litigation Settlements): Approved resolutions authorizing payments under $5,000 to settle litigation with the Manker Estate, Jordan Estate, and Sabrina Kite (§2614-2616). Approved professional services agreements for building department training (§2617). Approved the repeal of property sale items due to buyer non-completion (§2618), confirming properties are forfeited and returned to the market.
Bill 2619 (Tax Sale Properties): A contentious discussion arose regarding the sale of tax-sale properties owned by LLCs. Councilmembers Wilson, Cale Smith, and Warwick raised concerns about out-of-town investors buying properties in their districts, potentially driving up rents or leaving lots vacant. Councilwoman Warwick noted that she could strike sales in her district if she felt uncertain about the buyer. Councilman Wilson moved to delete items C and D (property in the South East area) and later strike items G and H (properties linked to LLCs from Florida and Virginia), which passed by voice vote. The bill was subsequently approved as amended.
Bill 2621 (Debt Management Policy): Councilwoman Gross requested a one-week hold to review the updated Debt Management Policy (Bill 2621), stating she could not vote on fiscal policy without reading the text. The motion to hold the bill for one week passed.
Bill 2632 (Property Tax Rate): Held for a public hearing on December 20th. Councilman requested a legal opinion on the legality of the tax increase percentage, which the Law Department had already been asked to review.
Bill 2636 (REACH Program Contract): Approves a $6 million contract with Center that Cares (REACH) for group violence intervention. Multiple speakers, including Councilmembers Wilson, Warwick, and Coghill, expressed strong support for the program, citing specific instances where they personally witnessed REACH staff de-escalating violence. Councilwoman Cale Smith sought clarification on prohibitions regarding political speech by contract recipients, which the Public Safety Director noted is not currently in the contract but could be added.
Salt Storage Facility (Bill 2583): Tabled the motion to authorize a $6.9 million contract for a new salt storage facility. Councilman Wilson expressed opposition to the spending during a tight budget, suggesting existing facilities be used with tarps. Councilman Coghill voiced support for the tabled motion to further assess the condemned dome and ensure proper location selection.
8th Street Vacation (Bill 2583): Approved a resolution to vacate 8th Street for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. A verbal amendment was added to explicitly authorize a public access easement for pedestrians and safety vehicles, correcting an omission from the original text where the intention existed only in the preamble. Councilman Wilson noted the land would remain private property, but the easement ensures access.
Bill 2333 (Historic Designation): Defeated (1 Aye, 6 No, 2 Abstain). The motion to designate the former Police Station No. 3 in the Strip District as a historic site was voted down. Councilman Wilson recommended a "no" vote, arguing for an RFP process to determine the building's future use rather than a historic designation that might deter developers. Councilwoman Gross expressed strong support for the designation to protect city history and prevent the demolition of a city-owned asset. Councilwoman Cale Smith noted the emotional weight of displacement from historic sites but deferred to Wilson regarding his district's needs.
Bill 2467 (Zoning Districts): Held for one week for further review of the West End Trolley Trail Accessory Parking District.
Pogo Bike Expansion (Bill 2628): Approved an application for a state grant to expand the POGO bike-share program. Councilwoman Warwick expressed strong support, calling the expansion a potential “transformer” for the city’s economic well-being and a way to reduce car dependency. Councilman Coghill voiced strong support but noted the lack of stations in District 4 and the need for better connectivity to the T-line. Councilwoman Gross endorsed the expansion, highlighting the need for stations at destinations to allow longer rides.
Facility Usage Agreements: Approved agreements with Bell-Silver, Voices Against Violence, Oz and M, Josh Gibson Foundation, Mount Washington Community Center, and Shadow Student Athletes to use city recreation centers. Councilmembers expressed appreciation for the volunteer staff and community work of these organizations, with some suggesting the city should consider providing direct staff support to these nonprofits in the future.
Housing Opportunity Fund (Bill 2510): Approved the 2026 allocation plan despite initial calls to hold. Councilman Lavelle urged members to approve the plan to allow the URA to continue operations, noting that while the fund is under pressure, it provides significant cost savings. Councilman Coghill expressed strong support for the fund, stating it is one of the last places he would cut.
Good morning and welcome to the standing committee's meeting for Wednesday, December seventeenth, twenty twenty-five. All council meetings will be live streamed on the city's website and for guest speakers joining us at the table. Please do not turn off your microphones. Our first order of business is roll call. Will the clerk please take the roll? Mr. Charland. Here. Mr. Coghill here. Miss Gross. Mr. Lavelle. Mr. Mosley. Miss Cale Smith. Miss Warwick. Here. Mr. Wilson. Ms. Strasberger Chair. Here. Six members present. Thank you. Our next order of business is public comment. I would like to remind all speakers that the rules of council state that comments are limited to matters of concern, official action, or deliberation, which are or may be before city council, and profanity will not be permitted. Please state your name and neighborhood for the record. You will have three minutes to speak. Do not see Dr. Miller. We will move to Elena Zaitzoff. We have Alana Zaitsoff. Do not see Ms. Saidsoff. We will move to Dalen Davis. Good morning, Council. Bayland Davis of Allentown Belsura neighborhood of the City of Pittsburgh. I come here today in regards to the 2026 budget deliberations. I want to strongly urge you not to rely on the housing opportunity fund or the stop the violence fund as tools to resolve the city's fiscal challenges. I understand the pressures and the complexities that the decisions before you. However, these two funds were deliberately established to address specific and ongoing crisis here in the city of Pittsburgh, housing instability, and community violence. They were never intended to function as gap fillers for general budget shortfalls and should remain protected as you consider other options. The Housing Opportunity Fund is already under significant strain as a response to the rising rents, displacement, and growing affordability pressures across the city. Diverting any dollar to close budget gaps undermines the fund's core purpose and further destabilizes residents who are already one missed paycheck away from crisis. Likewise, for the Stop the Violence Fund. It is essential to support proven preventative strategies that intervene before violence occurs. Violent crime is down across the city of Pittsburgh as a whole, and it did not happen by chance. It was a direct result between the sustained coordinated investment from this council and to community partners and organizations and public safety officials. Interrupting this fund could potentially put at risk all of the gains that have been made.